General Agronomy

Atmospheric variables (temperature, solar radiation, precipitation, wind, humidity) (2 CFU)
Their relationships with plants (radiation interception and photosynthesis; thermal units; growth analysis) (0.75 CFU)
Defense from atmospheric adversity (0.25 CFU)
Net primary production (0.25 CFU)
Water balance and evapotranspiration (0.5 CFU)
Climate, climate classification and climate change (0.25 CFU)

Agricultural ecology: basic definitions, goals and specificities
The evolution of ecological and agroecological thinking in Italy (from Pietro Cuppari to Girolamo Azzi, Draghetti and others)
Some basic concepts of ecology (primary and secondary succession, disturbance and its dimensions, systemic approach, definition and objectives of agroecosystem, Cropping, farming and agricultural systems, the scales of ecology in time and space, differences between ecosystems and agroecosystems; the driving variables of agroecosystems (1 CFU)

The concept of sustainability and its evolution over time (from the ' 60s, to the Club of Rome, to Rio 92 to Agenda 2030. The green deal, Nature Restoration Law, The National Integrated Agriculture Plan and its tools at the regional scale, Biodiversity Strategy, some references to the Common Agricultural Policy - CAP) (0, 75 CFU)

The concept of Ecosystem Services related to the multifunctional farm. Tools for assessing farm sustainability. Indicators and payments of Ecosystem Services (1 CFU)

The "agricultures of change" (Organic, integrated, regenerative, permaculture, syntropic, conservation agriculture, etc.) are the most important agricultural tools. Definitions and comparisons in the agroecological framework). Mitigation potentials of pollutant and greenhouse gas release reduction by the agri-food system (1 CFU)

1. Introduction to agronomy (0.5 CFU).
Definitions of agriculture and agronomy. Plant production; growth; development. Production levels. Growth over time of the leaf area and of the aerial biomass of herbaceous crops.

2. Soil structure and soil-water relations (0.75 CFU).
Soil structure: factors that contribute to keeping together or separating aggregates; influence of management practices (contribution of organic matter, mineral fertilizers, irrigation water; vegetation; tillag and compaction). Crust formation. Water-soil relationship: partioning of the soil volume; partioning of soil porosity; water content; water potential and its components; water retention curve; saturation, field capacity and wilting point; infiltration rate; useful rain; water balance. Behavior of soils of different texture.

3. Tillage (1 CFU).
Definition. Purposes of tillage. Tillage classification. Soil tillage and water content: cohesion, plasticity, adhesiveness; their variations with soil moisture; shrinkage limit, plasticity limit, liquid limit. For each tillage operation, this presentation scheme is followed: action, structure of the tool, effect on soil and residues, relation with other tillage operations, advantages and disadvantages. Plowing with a traditional moldboard plow. Subsoiling. Hoeing. Harrowing. Rolling. Weeding. Plowing depth. Plowing techniques. Plowing date. Conservation agriculture: definition, available techniques, advantages and disadvantages. No tillage. Minimum tillage. Notes on machinery used in conservation agriculture. Management of crop residues.

4. Fertilization and nutrient management (2 CFU).
Purpose of fertilization, importance. Essential and non-essential nutrients. Response of crops to fertilization. Role of the soil. Liebig's law. Optimal dose of nutrient. Diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies: chemical analysis of the soil and plants; visual diagnosis. Nitrogen fertilization: mineralization rate and crop removal rate; apparent agronomic efficiency; real efficiency; effectiveness; factors that affect efficiency; estimation of the nitrogen dose with the balance method (with exercises). Phosphate and potassium fertilization: concept of assimilable phosphorus and exchangeable potassium; estimate of the doses of phosphorus and potassium to be applied. Date and method of application of mineral fertilizers. Mineral fertilizers: classification; title; nitrogen fertilizers; phosphate fertilizers; potassium fertilizers. Organic fertilizers: nutrient content and their behavior in the soil; selection criteria; animal manure (composition, characteristics, apparent nitrogen efficiency, environmental risks, treatment, distribution in the field, outline of the legislation).

5. Soil amendment (0.5 CFU).
Objective of the amendment. Importance of organic matter and factors that influence its presence in the soil. Humic balance. Amendments. Manure. Green manure.

6. Weed control (1.25 CFU).
Definition of weeds and their importance. Classification of the weed flora based on the propagation mechanism; seed dormancy; soil seed bank and its dynamics; potential flora and real flora. Classification of the flora based on the duration of the cycle. Management of weeds: prevention, eradication and control. Weed control: concepts of integrated control; intervention thresholds and required period of absence of weeds. Mechanical, physical (flame weeding), crop control, biological control. Chemical control: advantages and disadvantages; foliar and soil application; environmental fate of herbicides applied to the soil and environmental and management factors that affect their effectiveness (soil water content, organic matter content); factors that affect the effectiveness of herbicides for foliar application. Contact and systemic herbicides. Mechanisms of action of herbicides. Selectivity of herbicides. Date of application: pre-sowing, pre-emergence of the crop, post-emergence of the crop.